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Since I don't see the C31 listed anywhere on DirecTVs website I suppose you currently have to call them to get one (if you want to get one from them vs SolidSignal or some other non DirecTV source)? Also, does anyone know if they require a truck roll or will they just send one. I already have an HR34.

I only saw it as I was pricing out a new sub sign up. Since I'm looking at this and Dish (now that they have AMC back) and the Genie with clients are available that way. Maybe a new sub only thing via the website.

I'm scheduled to get DirecTV installed this Saturday. I'm getting the Genie (which I've now learned is also known as the H34) and two C31 units.

I have never subscribed to satellite before, and currently have cable. I will remain with cable for internet, but will be dropping television service with them. Hopefully the location where all my home runs terminate can simply be disconnected from the cable company's splitter (except for the one feeding my cable modem) and be connected to the multiswitch equipment necessary to make the DirecTV equipment work. Ten-year-old home with RG-6 cabling, two cables to each drop.

I recently upgraded our main HDTV, and the one displaced will move to the bedroom. The bedroom TV, an older SD CRT, will be the third outlet in the basement. That comprises my three intended outlets.

Questions:

I normally watch my bedroom TV through ear buds connected to a small bookshelf stereo. That audio signal comes from the TiVo, so the audio is available whether the TV is on or off. If I can get my hands on one of the H2510 10 pin dongles, can I drive an HDTV with HDMI and still deliver audio to the stereo? I guess I don't care if I get the composite or component dongle, as I'm only going to use the audio portion of it.

If I want to move a C31, can I do that by simply ensuring the appropriate home run cable in the intended location is plugged into the multiswitch, after unplugging the home run that connected it to its former location?

I have some space/shelving issues at the main TV. Would it be practical to put the DVR in the bedroom and use a C31 at the main TV, or would there be performance/feature reasons to want the DVR there instead of a client box?

I often record some kids' programming off the air on local subchannels, which won't be carried on satellite. Can I add the AM21 OTA tuner to the H34 and have seamless access to OTA stuff at all televisions?

I normally watch my bedroom TV through ear buds connected to a small bookshelf stereo. That audio signal comes from the TiVo, so the audio is available whether the TV is on or off. If I can get my hands on one of the H2510 10 pin dongles, can I drive an HDTV with HDMI and still deliver audio to the stereo? I guess I don't care if I get the composite or component dongle, as I'm only going to use the audio portion of it.

Yes, both outputs are active simultaneously.

If I want to move a C31, can I do that by simply ensuring the appropriate home run cable in the intended location is plugged into the multiswitch, after unplugging the home run that connected it to its former location?

You don't even need to disconnect the cables, just use any barrel and cheap terminator on the end of the line. Leaving unused cables isn't optimal but with most installations it's no big deal as long as the unused runs are terminated. If you do run into any issues, disconnecting unused cables would be the first thing to try.

I have some space/shelving issues at the main TV. Would it be practical to put the DVR in the bedroom and use a C31 at the main TV, or would there be performance/feature reasons to want the DVR there instead of a client box?

In most cases there is very little performance difference between the client and the server. The client is a little slower to "wake up" and some people say it's a little slower to perform, but not much.

I often record some kids' programming off the air on local subchannels, which won't be carried on satellite. Can I add the AM21 OTA tuner to the H34 and have seamless access to OTA stuff at all televisions?

OTA programming will go to all clients if the AM21 is connected to the HR34.

Opinions expressed by me are my own and do not necessarily reflect
those of DBSTalk.com, DIRECTV, DISH, The Signal Group, or any other company.

I'm scheduled to get DirecTV installed this Saturday. I'm getting the Genie (which I've now learned is also known as the H34) and two C31 units.

I have never subscribed to satellite before, and currently have cable. I will remain with cable for internet, but will be dropping television service with them. Hopefully the location where all my home runs terminate can simply be disconnected from the cable company's splitter (except for the one feeding my cable modem) and be connected to the multiswitch equipment necessary to make the DirecTV equipment work. Ten-year-old home with RG-6 cabling, two cables to each drop.

I recently upgraded our main HDTV, and the one displaced will move to the bedroom. The bedroom TV, an older SD CRT, will be the third outlet in the basement. That comprises my three intended outlets.

Questions:

I normally watch my bedroom TV through ear buds connected to a small bookshelf stereo. That audio signal comes from the TiVo, so the audio is available whether the TV is on or off. If I can get my hands on one of the H2510 10 pin dongles, can I drive an HDTV with HDMI and still deliver audio to the stereo? I guess I don't care if I get the composite or component dongle, as I'm only going to use the audio portion of it. My C31 component output is active at the same time as HDMI (used to make the screen caps of the First Look).

If I want to move a C31, can I do that by simply ensuring the appropriate home run cable in the intended location is plugged into the multiswitch, after unplugging the home run that connected it to its former location? Hopefully all of your cables are home runs, can't have any cablevision splitters in the runs. You should easily be able to move a C31 to another cable connected to your multiswitch. A wireless connection kit will work too, it's how mine is connected as I have no cable run to the master bath closet where the C31 is located (feeds the TV thru the wall).

I have some space/shelving issues at the main TV. Would it be practical to put the DVR in the bedroom and use a C31 at the main TV, or would there be performance/feature reasons to want the DVR there instead of a client box? I'd put the DVR where you might want to use PiP. Of course the DVR itself will be more responsive, but the C31 is liveable.

I often record some kids' programming off the air on local subchannels, which won't be carried on satellite. Can I add the AM21 OTA tuner to the H34 and have seamless access to OTA stuff at all televisions? Yep, and the HR34 will scan for channels, but be aware that there might not be Guide data for all the channels/subchannels, and you may have to manually record those.

I have some space/shelving issues at the main TV. Would it be practical to put the DVR in the bedroom and use a C31 at the main TV, or would there be performance/feature reasons to want the DVR there instead of a client box?

If you plan to use PIP, it is only available on the TV that is directly connected to the HR34.

I often record some kids' programming off the air on local subchannels, which won't be carried on satellite. Can I add the AM21 OTA tuner to the H34 and have seamless access to OTA stuff at all televisions?

The AM21 will allow you to watch and/or record only two OTA channels at a time.

When the installer arrives, take a couple of minutes to walk/talk through the install so you are both in agreement as to what will be done and how it will be done. Make sure the installer understands you will still be using cable for internet and does not disturb the coax that is needed to make that happen.

Sounds like the AM21 is something I can add on my own, purchased at retail, without being formally "installed" on my account per se, other than following the procedure to connect and make the H34 aware of its presence. Good to know that it contributes two OTA-capable tuners (but does not increase my overall tuner count to seven, I assume) to the Genie system. I can't imagine ever being scheduled more than two programs deep on channels not already available to me on the satellite side. Would also make a nice rain fade backup device, too, for the locals. Caution on subchannel guide data is noted. Just ten miles from our local transmitter towers, my antenna is small.

Okay, good. The C31 will drive HDMI and the breakout dongle simultaneously. Not only do I often watch that television without its speakers on (sleeping wife), listening instead through the little stereo's ear buds, I also listen to some news in the morning without even turning the television on. I will probably have to turn on the C31, though, as I assume it will time out overnight, or at least not be on the correct channel. Right now, my old analog-only TiVo is set to record the morning news, so at the appointed time it's always pumping the audio from the correct channel for me. Yeah, that's a pretty bizarre thing I've got going there.

Is there a preferred vendor for ordering one of the dongles?

Looks like I'll want the DVR in the living room then, as I can envision using PiP and/or side-by-side functions more there versus the bedroom television. Glad to hear the C31 is adequately responsive otherwise, though.

I don't understand exactly what the DirecTV Cinema Connection Kit is. Is that just a device that connects to the H34 and behaves like a wireless network card to talk to one's existing home wi-fi, or does the device actually add the additional Web-based content to the system? I have wired Ethernet available at the H34's location; will that give the H34 any and all the internet connectivity it needs? The matrix displayed on this page was confusing with how it mentions Ethernet: (edit: the forum won't let me post a URL yet due to low post count)

It will be hard to give up my beloved TiVos after nine years, but it's time to try something different, gain some new channels, and new functionality along the way.

Currently, the cable company coax enters my home. A (powered/amplifying, I think) two-way splitter drives the cable modem on one leg (and thus a nearby router, patch panel,and CAT5 Ethernet home runs), and the other leg splits again into a four-way to drive four home runs that go to various points in my home, though I was only using two. There shouldn't be any other splits elsewhere. I presume we'll just unplug the home runs from that cable four-way and use them with the new switch gear, leaving the cable company stuff undisturbed up through and including the cable modem.

I'm not sure about physically terminating runs like Stuart mentioned, but if I move a C31 to a different room, I can surely manage to swap what cable run is being fed at the multiswitch.

Sounds like the AM21 is something I can add on my own, purchased at retail, without being formally "installed" on my account per se, other than following the procedure to connect and make the H34 aware of its presence. Good to know that it contributes two OTA-capable tuners (but does not increase my overall tuner count to seven, I assume) to the Genie system. I can't imagine ever being scheduled more than two programs deep on channels not already available to me on the satellite side. Would also make a nice rain fade backup device, too, for the locals. Caution on subchannel guide data is noted. Just ten miles from our local transmitter towers, my antenna is small.

Okay, good. The C31 will drive HDMI and the breakout dongle simultaneously. Not only do I often watch that television without its speakers on (sleeping wife), listening instead through the little stereo's ear buds, I also listen to some news in the morning without even turning the television on. I will probably have to turn on the C31, though, as I assume it will time out overnight, or at least not be on the correct channel. Right now, my old analog-only TiVo is set to record the morning news, so at the appointed time it's always pumping the audio from the correct channel for me. Yeah, that's a pretty bizarre thing I've got going there.

Looks like I'll want the DVR in the living room then, as I can envision using PiP and/or side-by-side functions more there versus the bedroom television. Glad to hear the C31 is adequately responsive otherwise, though.

I don't understand exactly what the DirecTV Cinema Connection Kit is. Is that just a device that connects to the H34 and behaves like a wireless network card to talk to one's existing home wi-fi, or does the device actually add the additional Web-based content to the system? I have wired Ethernet available at the H34's location; will that give the H34 any and all the internet connectivity it needs? The matrix displayed on this page was confusing with how it mentions Ethernet: (edit: the forum won't let me post a URL yet due to low post count) The Cinema Connection Kit just provides a connection to your router, but you don't need it with an HR34, you can plug it into the network directly (and don't use both!) and it will provide the interface for all coax-connection DVRs/receivers. Now the Wireless Cinema Connection Kit can be used as a wireless bridge to run a C31 without a coax cable.

It will be hard to give up my beloved TiVos after nine years, but it's time to try something different, gain some new channels, and new functionality along the way.

Currently, the cable company coax enters my home. A (powered/amplifying, I think) two-way splitter drives the cable modem on one leg (and thus a nearby router, patch panel,and CAT5 Ethernet home runs), and the other leg splits again into a four-way to drive four home runs that go to various points in my home, though I was only using two. There shouldn't be any other splits elsewhere. I presume we'll just unplug the home runs from that cable four-way and use them with the new switch gear, leaving the cable company stuff undisturbed up through and including the cable modem.

I'm not sure about physically terminating runs like Stuart mentioned, but if I move a C31 to a different room, I can surely manage to swap what cable run is being fed at the multiswitch. 75 ohm coax terminator

I just received my C31 today from Solid Signal. No problems hooking up. Just called DIRECTV and they walked me thru the activation process - painless! The C31 works as well as the the H24 it replaced. I tried to get one from DIRECTV and they quoted $178! Solid signal was $99 plus $5 for shipping.

I just received my C31 today from Solid Signal. No problems hooking up. Just called DIRECTV and they walked me thru the activation process - painless! The C31 works as well as the the H24 it replaced. I tried to get one from DIRECTV and they quoted $178! Solid signal was $99 plus $5 for shipping.

Unfortunately, the guy I talked to at *D was clueless. Couldn't understand how I had a box that they didn't ship to me. Wanted my credit card number to "verify" my account. Wanted the access card number. Adding the HR34 was a lot easier. But eventually, everything was settled and works.

I should mention that it's "difficult" to set up the C31 in the same room with the HR34 (configured for IR remote). Things get confused when you enter the PIN on the C31 and then try to enter the name. You wind up getting another PIN and trying to enter the name, and get another PIN...The way around this is to get the remote real close to the C31 so the HR34 can't see it. Works fine then.

So, does this mean that if I have one HR34 and two C31's in the same room (sports room with three TVs) I can control the HR34 and each C31 with different IR codes as can be done now with HRXX DirecTV boxes?

I now have one HR34 and two C31s in the same room with three TVs. I have found how to program the C31s with different codes in RF, but I cannot find how to program the C31s with different codes in IR. Can anyone help please?

For whatever reason, when I go to menu, settings and help, settings, remote I do not then get an "Advanced" selection. I have to select IR/RF, change to RF and then i get an "advanced" and when selected I can then obtain codes of 00001/2/3 for each remote.

I have not yet found an "advanced" selection in the IR mode. I may have not found it yet, but I am sure there is a way.